Ahh yes, me again.

I have some hostas, azaleas and caladiums that are really pretty, but they just don't look right to me now that they are getting bigger. I want to leave them in same bed, but need to move them around. Is it safe to do it now (zone 8) or wait until fall, or just wait until next year.

Everytime I go out I think how pretty they are and how pretty they would be if I could spread them out more

Thanks to all of you.

I'd wait until fall, I know that's hard to do sometimes but it's really better for the plants! Not to mention it greatly increases your chances of a successful transplant if you wait until the weather is cooler.

Thanks Ecrane, I know you're right , I was wishing for a miracle. I'll just turn my head when I walk past that bed.
It's a shame to have such pretty flowers and not be pleased with how they look.
Guess I need to learn more about landscaping.

Hi Lorain, Ecrane is right about transplanting in autumn, the soil is too hot and dry to enable your plants to withstand any root disturbance, unless you had some emergency on your hand, but then you would have to be so vigilant to care for that plant, in fact any planting is best done very early spring or autumn, as for looking at your wonderful planting scheme and feeling disappointed about the layout, all gardeners have these problems from time to time, so instead of feeling down about it, now is the time to get pencil and paper so you can look at the plants now they are bigger, then set out on the paper where you want to replant them, maybe even use some garden canes in the soil to act as the plants so you dont get it wrong next time, move the canes about so you are happy, then either leave the canes in situ, or stick a plant label into the soil with the name on it so come time to replant, you are ready for it, add some manure/compost so even the soil is good for the move, you prob made the classic mistake we all make as we start out gardening, that is we forget the plants will end up much larger than when we first planted them and next thing you know, we have set them too close together, your not alone in doing that, I used to do it all the time for the first few years till I learned to find out the spread and height of the MATURE plant, Oh, the joys of a creative person eh. Good luck, dont get despondent, your doing great, WeeNel.

You found out about me!!! I never think a plant will get as big as it does and I think others will be smaller, so I end up with tall things in front and short things in the back of them. Then I want to get a tiller and just run through them and forget it.

I am learning tho. At least my caladiums are behind the hostas

Hi Lorraine, your doing exactly what we all do when we first entered the world of gardening, I sure did, planted all the plants I love and grew up with, then discovered there was a reason my dad planted things further apart or planted little things behind something larger, it was because he learned to read the final size/spread etc so that nothing was overshadowed by it's neighbours, so we all make some mistakes, that's how we learn, so now, when you buy plants or seeds, it should tell you the height they will grow to, the spread they will go and any other info you will need, do remember however, these are a guideline, it all depends on YOUR growing conditions too, I am still in the habit of planting things a bit close than it stated on the label, but then again, I like all my plants to kind of grow into or threw the others next to it, but it is a mater of getting the balance right, that comes with experience and you will get there too, try to keep a notepad handy or get some books from the library as these are full of hints and tips about planting out beds and borders with some real nice pictures of mature plantings, keep up the good work, be patient and most of all, have fun and enjoy. Good Luck. WeeNel,